Celebrate your top performers with these eye-opening experiences

Today’s employees want to connect in meaningful ways with the destinations they travel to — and this holds especially true when it comes to incentive reward trips. When visiting a destination, top performers crave real, authentic experiences that deliver a glimpse into how locals live, work and more.

In Canada, there are endless ways to reward your team with experiences relating to the unique heritages and diverse cultures that can be found from coast to coast to coast. We’re shining a light on five captivating activities that will have them returning home with entirely new perspectives.

Experience Inuit culture in the Arctic

As far as bucket list trips go, it’s hard to beat the Canadian Arctic. Arguably one of the most special places on the planet, the region is defined by pristine tundra, giant glaciers, steep fjords and elusive wildlife — not to mention nature’s most extraordinary light show, the northern lights. A trip here gives top performers the rare opportunity to go where few people have gone before.

Along with taking in its unmatched beauty, teams that visit the Arctic can take part in a variety of enriching cultural activities. Arctic Kingdom, which operates adventure tours like polar bear safaris in Nunavut, partners with the local community to give guests the chance to learn about the Intuit way of life through cultural performances, sewing workshops and more.

Learn about Indigenous cultures on the west coast

It’s easy to understand why travellers from around the globe flock to Vancouver Island each year. Located on Canada’s breathtaking West Coast, the region boasts picturesque seaside towns, a temperate climate and exhilarating outdoor adventures.

Many Indigenous Peoples have called the land home for millennia, providing opportunities for incentive travellers to be immersed in the local cultures. The Kwa’lilas Hotel, located in Port Hardy and owned by the Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations, offers several cultural experiences. Among them, employees can learn how to create their own drum and weave cedar to create small cases or bracelets.

They can also create new memories with colleagues as they head out for a three-hour boat trip to the Nakwakto Rapids, see an array of marine life, and visit an oyster farm, all while hearing stories of the history of Gwa’sala-‘Nakwaxda’xw Nations. The hotel’s restaurant, Ha’me, also offers a gourmet menu filled with Indigenous-inspired dishes. This is one incentive reward that your team won’t soon forget.

Cultural attractions abound in the Yukon

For a truly memorable experience, travel back in time to a place once defined by golden dreams and tales of riches: the Yukon. A trip to Dawson City gives high achievers the chance to explore a plethora of historical sites in the heart of Gold Rush Territory.

Among the cultural experiences, teams can take a trip on the White Pass & Yukon Route Railway. Built in 1898 at the height of the Klondike Gold Rush, the route takes travellers from Alaska through awe-inspiring scenery of British Columbia, from cascading waterfalls and giant glaciers to winding tunnels and towering mountains. While the entire trip is incredible, the highlight is no doubt a remarkable 3,000-foot ascent in a mere 20-minutes to the summit of White Pass.

In the day, explore the heart of Dawson City’s downtown on a guided historic walk, stopping for team photo ops amongst heritage buildings built during the boom of the gold fevered days. For a special evening, host a gala dinner to celebrate your team at the Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre, located on the banks of the Yukon River. Be sure to add in a stop to Canada’s oldest gambling hall, Diamond Tooth Gerties, where you can watch a cancan show or try a sip of the infamous sour toe cocktail.

The wild western culture of Alberta

For a reward that your high achievers will strive for all year long, coincide your incentive with what's dubbed the greatest outdoor show on Earth: the Calgary Stampede. For 10 days every July, a sea of denim and cowboy hats takes over the city as it transforms into one of the country’s premiere celebrations of music, food and culture. Reward your team with a pancake breakfast, the chance to experience the rodeo from their infield suite, and visits to the acclaimed restaurants and live music clubs on Music Mile.

After experiencing western culture at the stampede, take the 45-minute drive to Rocking R Guest Ranch, to experience the wild western culture of Canada for yourself. Whether you opt to go on a scenic horseback riding adventure through the wilderness or satisfy your team’s hunger with a fresh off the grill buffet, this trip is sure to leave a lasting impression on your top performers.

A sweet reward 

A sugar shack experience is deeply rooted in the culture of Québec. Your top performers will become immersed in local culture as they learn the centuries-old French-Canadian method of making maple syrup. 

Your team can arrive by horse-drawn sleigh winding through a forest where pails festoon each tree to collect sugar maple sap. A warm glass of mulled wine and a toast to your earners kicks off an afternoon or evening celebration — before your team enjoys a series of iconic French-Canadian dishes, like carved ham and molasses baked beans. If you’re there in the spring, you’ll want to witness the “sugaring off” process of turning sap into sweet maple syrup.

Enriching experiences

In Canada, there are a variety of ways to embrace its diverse cultures and heritage and ultimately, create memories that will stay with employees long after they return home. Cultural experiences are only one aspect of the incentive offerings in Canada. From exhilarating adventures to flavourful meals, its diverse destinations have something for everyone.

Destination Canada Business Events can help planners personalize incentives, provide insight and introductions, and more. For impartial insights, inspiration and introductions, planners can contact the Destination Canada Business Events team. Or, contact Jennifer Attersall, Director of Incentive Travel, Destination Canada Business Events at attersall.jennifer@destinationcanada.com or +1 403-923-5972